First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

1947 – Bob Fenimore, HB, Oklahoma A&M1941 – Tom Harmon, HB, Michigan

Tom Harmon

Walter Payton

Richard Dent

Did you know?

Walter Payton and Roland Harper were backfield mates for seven seasons. They both joined the Bears through the 1975 draft but on opposite ends of the spectrum. Payton was the team's first choice, selected fourth overall, while Harper was picked in the 17th and final round, 420th overall, by Chicago.

That year's draft also stocked the Bears with such players as DE Mike Hartenstine, QB Bob Avellini, and DB Doug Plank.

Quotable:

"Maybe the little man the Bears drafted Tuesday will be so good they'll have to rename Soldier Field 'Payton Place.'"

Those words closed a column written by Robert Markus in the Chicago Tribune the day after the Bears used its first round pick of the 1975 NFL Draft on running back Walter Payton. Chicago head coach Jack Pardee commented on the pick by saying the only negative scouting note about Payton was his height and pointed out "But he runs big. He's a big little man."